AP World History POD #24 – Europe Clings to Relevance Balkan Powder Keg

Class Discussion Questions McKay – “The First World War”, pp

How did the decisions of the Congress of Vienna create a pressure in Europe that would inevitably explode? The Balance of Power structure divided Europe into two rival camps The Balance of Power structure divided Europe into two rival camps Nationalism was suppressed but ultimately could not be denied Nationalism was suppressed but ultimately could not be denied The First World War was so long and destructive because it involved all of the Great Powers and because it quickly degenerated into a senseless military stalemate The First World War was so long and destructive because it involved all of the Great Powers and because it quickly degenerated into a senseless military stalemate

What were the underlying causes of the Great War? Alliances - since the time of the Congress of Vienna the continent had relied on the balance of power to check each other’s power / Germany – Austria – Italy (Triple Alliance) / Russia – France – Great Britain – United States (Triple Entente) Alliances - since the time of the Congress of Vienna the continent had relied on the balance of power to check each other’s power / Germany – Austria – Italy (Triple Alliance) / Russia – France – Great Britain – United States (Triple Entente) 2. Nationalism - the call for national self-rule began to break apart the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empire - the Balkans were a “tinderbox” ready to explode - the Serbs looked to the Russians for support of their national aspirations 2. Nationalism - the call for national self-rule began to break apart the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empire - the Balkans were a “tinderbox” ready to explode - the Serbs looked to the Russians for support of their national aspirations 3. Militarism - each of the European nations tried to show their increasing national power through increased investments and focus on their military 3. Militarism - each of the European nations tried to show their increasing national power through increased investments and focus on their military

What was the trigger event of the Great War? Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria (heir to the Habsburg throne) was assassinated by Serbian revolutionaries in Bosnia on June 28, 1914 Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria (heir to the Habsburg throne) was assassinated by Serbian revolutionaries in Bosnia on June 28, 1914

How did Europe proceed down the “March of Folly”? The assassins were closely connected to the ultranationalist Serbian society the Black Hand. This revolutionary group was secretly supported by members of the Serbian government and was dedicated to uniting all Serbians in a single state The assassins were closely connected to the ultranationalist Serbian society the Black Hand. This revolutionary group was secretly supported by members of the Serbian government and was dedicated to uniting all Serbians in a single state July 23rd- Ultimatum- the Serbian government had 48 hours to agree to Austro- Hungarian demands. The demands would give Austria control of Serbia. July 23rd- Ultimatum- the Serbian government had 48 hours to agree to Austro- Hungarian demands. The demands would give Austria control of Serbia. Serbia was evasive in their response and on July 28th Austria declared war on Serbia Serbia was evasive in their response and on July 28th Austria declared war on Serbia Austria chose was as a means to stem the rising tide of nationalism within its border as a way to save its existing state Austria chose was as a means to stem the rising tide of nationalism within its border as a way to save its existing state “Blank Check”- Austria made the decision to go to war knowing they had Germany’s full support “Blank Check”- Austria made the decision to go to war knowing they had Germany’s full support German Gamble- Germany hoped that while France and Russia would invoke their alliance provisions that Great Britain would sit out the war unwilling to support “Russian Aggression” German Gamble- Germany hoped that while France and Russia would invoke their alliance provisions that Great Britain would sit out the war unwilling to support “Russian Aggression” Russia came to the aid of Serbia but their war plan called for a war against both Austria and Russia- they declared war on Germany on July 29th Russia came to the aid of Serbia but their war plan called for a war against both Austria and Russia- they declared war on Germany on July 29th Schlieffen Plan- this plan called for German forces to quickly defeat the French in the west and then focus on Russia in the east. It was assumed that the Russians would take longer to mobilize- Germany declared war on France Schlieffen Plan- this plan called for German forces to quickly defeat the French in the west and then focus on Russia in the east. It was assumed that the Russians would take longer to mobilize- Germany declared war on France German forces moved through Belgium violating their neutrality drawing Great Britain into the war German forces moved through Belgium violating their neutrality drawing Great Britain into the war All of the major powers were involved All of the major powers were involved

Who does conventional wisdom dictate is the party most responsible for the outbreak of the Great War? In spite of Russian intervention in the quarrel, it is clear from the beginning of the crisis Germany not only pushed and goaded Austria- Hungary but also was responsible for turning a little war into a Great War by means of a sledgehammer attack on Belgium and France In spite of Russian intervention in the quarrel, it is clear from the beginning of the crisis Germany not only pushed and goaded Austria- Hungary but also was responsible for turning a little war into a Great War by means of a sledgehammer attack on Belgium and France

How did each nation view the outbreak of violence? the great majority of the population enthusiastically embraced the out break of war in August 1914 the great majority of the population enthusiastically embraced the out break of war in August 1914 people believe their country had been wronged and rallied to defend it people believe their country had been wronged and rallied to defend it believed that the war would be short in nature believed that the war would be short in nature OH HOW THEY WERE WRONG OH HOW THEY WERE WRONG